Baros: Houllier knocked the confidence out of me

LIFE has been harsh on Gerrard Houllier recently - sacked by Liverpool when he considered himself Houdini, he emerged here in Portugal as a UEFA technical adviser quietly touting himself as the future French national coach.

LIFE has been harsh on Gerrard Houllier recently - sacked by Liverpool when he considered himself Houdini, he emerged here in Portugal as a UEFA technical adviser quietly touting himself as the future French national coach.

Then along came a ghost from the recent past, Milan Baros, (right), to haunt him.

Last night Baros became the top scorer at Euro 2004 when he lifted his total to five, one ahead of Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy, with a double blast against the Danes.

And, firmly in the spotlight, Baros decided to take a right dip at Houllier declaring he would have walked out on Liverpool had Houllier not been sacked.

"He knocked the confidence out of me," said the Czech striker. "I would have left if he hadn't gone but under Rafael Benitez I feel I will be given a chance.

"I'd lost my motivation under Houllier. It was only when I met up with my national team-mates that I lost weight, gained some mental belief, and got my motivation back."